DIRECTORY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 109 



hamas and the West Indies, breeding over most of its range ; 

 migrates southward in late Oct. to winter from the Carolinas 

 southward, occasionally remaining as far north as Mass. 

 Comes north in April. Common. Flight rather slow w ith 

 quite slow wing-beats. Although nocturnal, may often be 

 found feeding by day, especially when breeding, frequenting 

 salt marshes and inland waters. Cry, a harsh, abruptly giv- 

 en ' qaa-cvk'''' uttered in flight, and some guttural sounds best 

 heard on the breeding grounds. Social at all times, roosting 

 in companies by day and feeding together by night. Nesting 

 time from March (Fla.) to June (Northern N. E.). 



i. Thick-billed Night Herons. Nyctanassa. 



Differs from h in having the bill thicker, both head and 

 back plumes and the top of head and back without a black 

 patch, fig. 126 



1. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, N. violacea. 

 23.00; bill, 3.00; differs from h, 1 in being darker in all plu- 

 mages, ashy-blue in adults, streaked with black above, with 

 crown and sides of head, 

 yellowish, fig. 126. Young 

 are darker than in h, 1, the 

 prevailing color above 

 very dark greenish-brown, 

 streaked with lighter. 

 America from the Carolinas 

 and the lower Ohio Valley ''/ ^ 

 south to Brazil and Peru, ^■^-= 

 casual 1 y north to Mass. — ^-/ 



Breeds m April. Cry, simi- ^^^^ -_ _^^^'3&;^,^,^' ^ /a 

 lar to that of n, 1» but not as Vv-; ~ - -: -—^^\^'- VsirjaScC-, ^ r^^- 

 harsh and is less seldom giv- -^=^^^^ -^^^- ^^r /^ - ^' 

 en. Often feeds by day; a I, Bt 1, 1. 1-8. 



large portion of its food consists of crabs. Somewhat social 

 when breeding, often nesting in small communities, but more 

 solitary at other times. Flight, quite rapid, with rather 

 quick wing-beats. 



